A lot of dangerous types at the head of the market here and take your pick out of Optional Mix (up 4lbs), Bluebell Diva (a horse given time who should be about to fire), Slane Hill (who makes Handicap debut) and Emancipator a Chase and Hurdle winner penalised a stone for a Handicap Hurdle win last time out). Brazos ran well at Cheltenham against some less than impressive home opposition, INDESCENT would be one to TRACK as it does need some respite from the handicapper but clearly has ability, and Noble birth for Elliott drops in trip off top weight but one i think they are running to get that mark down.

 

There are a couple though who I think are over-priced and worth a small punt and they are SIMPLY SHABRA who should be race fit now and a few signs in the past that it can win races in this sort of ground and GARCON DEUX who should also be fit after a couple of runs and who looks like one who could be running in to some form and a bit of an eye catcher last time.

 

 

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I think Ian has summed this race up perfectly.

 

It really is impossible to assess form and to gain any enjoyment in trying to do so when one Trainer has half of the field and another more than half of the remainder.

 

I've done the best I can and in order of preference (I think Elliott holds all the aces here) I'd have a shrapnel bet on

 

Frontal Assault / Fakiera and Coko Beach in that order - I do think Defi Bleu @ 50/1  is a lurker at that price and possibly Dunboyne @ 22/1, so I'll have a quid each way on both of those.

 

Shrapnel -  Frontal Assault / Fakiera and Coko Beach